One
of the many beauties of Islam is that it is a way of life that corresponds
with a human being's natural disposotion in every aspect of life.
Amongst these things that a human naturally feels is mercy and compassion
for the sick. Hence, Islam has placed a great deal of emphasis on
bringing these qualities into our lives. The Holy Prophet stated in one hadith:
“Show compassion to those on earth, the One in the heavens will show
mercy upon you.”

Visiting the sick
is from amongst those responsibilities and duties that a Muslim must fulfil.
Imam Bukhari has transmitted a hadith in his Sahih from Sayyidina Abu Huraira
that our beloved Prophet said:
“The rights of one Muslim over another Muslim are six.” Someone
asked, “What are they?” The Holy Prophet replied, “When you meet him you greet him with salaam (peace), when he
invites you, you accept his invitation, when he consults you in a matter,
you give him sincere advice. When he sneezes and praises Allah, you
ask Allah to have mercy on him. When he is sick, you visit him and
when he passes away you accompany him i.e. you join in his janazah (funeral).”

These
actions create love of bonding within the Muslims. Furthermore, the
Muslims in essence are like one body as mentioned in an authentic narration
of Rasulullah . If one part of the body hurts the entire body hurts. Our
consolation will not take away the sickness from our Muslim brother or
sister, but it may lift his spirits and make him happy.
Just as our Master Rasulaullah has guided
us on how to conduct ourselves in every sphere of our lives, he has also
guided us regarding the method of visiting the sick.

While fulfilling
this revered act, the vistor should keep some things in mind so as to discharge
his obligation in a successful manner. The visitor should call before
hand to find out if it would be appropriate to visit at a specific time
or to find out when it would be best to visit. The visit should be
brief so that the ill person does not become burdened by the presence of
the visitor. Sheikh Abdul Fatah Ghudda the renowned scholar of Syria
writes in his book, ‘Islamic Manners’:
“The length of the visit should not be longer than the time between
the two sermons of Friday. In this respect, it was said that the
visit should be long enough to convey salaams and wishes, to ask the sick
how they are doing, to pray for their recovery and to leave immediately
after bidding them farewell.”

Also,
one should try to avoid asking the details of the illness or discomfort
the sick by talking about the illness. He should pray for the sick,
for verily the rewards for such an act are great. Imam Bukhari and
Muslim have transmitted a hadith from our beloved Mother Hadhrat Aisha(radhiallahu anha) who said:
“If someone fell sick, the Prophet would
pass his beloved hand over the sick person saying the following prayer: ‘O Allah! Lord of mankind, take away the suffering, bring about recovery,
only your cure takes away illnesses’.”

An effort
should be made to inform the pious as to the state of the person sick. This is because the du’as of
the pious never go in vain. The whole experience of visiting the
sick is full of reflection if carried out according to the sunnah.
Furthermore, only through illness can we truly appreciate good health from
Allah. Sickness is a means of cleansing from Allah as well as a test
from Allah. We pray to Allah to cure the sick amongst us and give
us the ability to practice this sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad .